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Each year, Earth Day invites us to reflect not just on the challenges facing our planet, but also on the progress we’ve made, and the power of coming together to protect the places we love. During a time of deep division, a conservation project in western Maine offers a powerful reminder of what is possible when we focus on what unites us and work together to achieve it. Last month, four conservation organizations — Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust , Forest Society of Maine , Northeast Wilderness Trust and The Nature Conservancy in Maine — announced a project that seeks to conserve 78,000 acres in the western Maine mountains, keeping it undeveloped and open to the public.
The Magalloway Collaborative, as the partnership is named, is united around a shared commitment to making conservation reflective of the diverse ways Mainers connect with their lands. Chris Beichner is president and CEO of Forest Society of Maine. Kate Dempsey is state director of The Nature Conservancy in Maine.
Jon Leibowitz is president and CEO of Northeast Wilderness Trust. David Miller is executive director of Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust. The Magalloway Lands and Waters project has something for everyone.
The area’s waterways and forests are of global renown, a perfect backdrop for hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and the many other ways people experience and appreciate the outdoors. The property includes more than 170 miles of rivers and streams, which host some of the most resilient brook trout habitat in the United States. The project guarantees public access to these treasured resources for future generations.
Beyond supporting the outdoor economy, the project will also help sustain the forest economy for local communities. More than 62,000 acres of the property will be covered by a conservation easement that allows for sustainable timber harvest, supporting a longstanding Maine livelihood. New agreements, such as no-harvest buffer zones along streams and riverbanks, will ensure that these harvests are compatible with the project’s ecological objectives.
Those ecological objectives are also reflected in the project’s 15,000-plus acres of ecological reserves, where human disturbance will be minimal. No timber harvest will be permitted in these areas, while the forests here will grow old and store vast amounts of carbon. Respectful human visitors will also have the chance to observe the passive rewilding process firsthand.
Finally, the project’s impact extends beyond its boundaries. The property connects more than 500,000 acres of conserved lands from New Hampshire, through Maine, and into Canada — a triumph for landscape connectivity in the Northern Appalachians. The creation of corridors such as these is critical as temperatures rise and species shift their ranges in response to climate change.
Iconic Maine wildlife like moose, lynx and migratory songbirds, including more than 20 species of warbler, will benefit from this expansive wilderness. This suite of supported uses has been the driving force behind the Magalloway Lands and Waters since its inception. Because even if Mainers don’t always see eye to eye on the nitty-gritty of land use, most share a deep and reverent love for the state’s lands and believe in their careful stewardship for future generations.
Why shouldn’t this spirit — one of mutual respect, collaboration and community that can unite Mainers from all walks of life — be at the heart of conservation? The power of that inclusive spirit is evident in the many endorsements the project has received. Organizations ranging from sportsmen’s groups to environmental groups to the state’s Department of Environmental Protection have praised it as a resounding win for Maine. Vic Medina, a Registered Maine Guide in the region, explains that the project “will be extremely beneficial to the land and waters of the area and its wildlife inhabitants, as well as to guides like myself who bring hundreds of clients to Maine’s beautiful world-class rivers.
” Testimonials like this show how conservation can bring people of different backgrounds, values, beliefs and interests together under the banner of preserving Maine’s forests and natural landscapes. On this Earth Day, let us celebrate the spectacular opportunity of the Mallagoway Collaborative. To learn how you can help make the Magalloway Lands and Waters a reality, visit magalloway.
org . This joint conservation effort is an important reminder that collaboration and progress in the environmental movement, even among those with differing perspectives, is still possible. And it highlights for all of us some of nature’s most important lessons: symbiosis, resilience and — perhaps most importantly right now — hope.
“Nature Connects” is a monthly column showcasing conservation stories from people and organizations across Maine. To learn more or suggest story ideas, email [email protected].
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